Non-Seasonal Natural Hazards: Floods, Earthquakes, Landslides
Severe Weather and Natural Disasters
And you shall flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. ~ Zechariah 14:5
There will be earthquakes in various places; ~ Mark 13:8
. . . then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone over us; ~ Psalm 124:4
Anywhere It Happens . . .
There is no specific season for floods, earthquakes or landslides. Though each of these may be more prevalent in one location than another, every area has at least some degree of risk. Desert dry streambeds are flash flood hazards when it rains upstream. "Every area" does apply to earthquakes, though damaging ones are expected in certain zones. Landslides can occur any place that has sharp differences in elevation, and the causes can include floods and quakes. Essentially, a flood, an earthquake, or a landslide may happen almost anywhere, and anywhere it happens, we must be ready.
Here are a few instances of flood, earthquake, and landslide:
Flood
Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, April 4, 2018 - A flash flood watch issued by the National Weather Service on Monday, April 2, was cancelled on Wednesday, April 4. [2]
Mayer, Arizona, July 19, 2017 - Flash floods swept through the Mayer and Spring Valley areas. Two people or more had to be rescued from their homes. Thirty or more were evacuated. There was damage over a wide area. Damage included the gear of campers. [3]
Columbus, Ohio, April 6, 2018 - River flood warnings are in effect for parts of central Ohio following extended heavy rain. [4]
Missouri River Basin (several states), June 2012 - Heavy winter snowfall in the Rockies and heavier-than-usual rain in Montana triggered massive flooding in the Missouri River Basin, which lasted through the month of June. Hundreds of churches were affected - displaced members, damaged buildings, shelter for evacuees. [5]
Earthquake
Mexico, September 19, 2017 - A massive earthquake struck central Mexico, one of two temblors damaging dozens of churches across the area. In Atzala, an infant baptism was in progress when the quake hit. Eleven persons, including the baby, were killed. There were only two survivors in the church. [6]
Seattle, Washington, mid-1980s - A local congregation sold its original property and purchased a surplus school building. Before moving in, the city required them to upgrade it to new earthquake standards.
Landslide
Oso, Washington, March 22, 2014 - 43 people were killed when the side of an unstable hill collapsed. The slide crossed the Stillaguamish River and wiped out a rural neighborhood. 49 buildings were demolished. [7]
Charleston, West Virginia, March 13, 2015 - A landslide from the hill where Yeager Airport sits destroyed a home and a church. [8][9]
What Are Our Chances?
When planning to be ready for a natural disaster, the logical question is, "What are our chances of this happening here?" This determines the level of necessary readiness for disasters. The first article in this series - "Whether the Weather" - said we should know the local climate. Likewise, we should know the likelihood of non-seasonal natural disasters.
When it comes to floods, earthquakes, landslides, and wildfires, all are distinct possibilities in Southern California. Earthquakes are common any time of year. Wildfires are a reasonable danger through the last half of the year, followed by floods and landslides when the rains come.
Extensive river flooding is periodic in the Missouri and Mississippi basins, and not only in the lower reaches. This is because these rivers are not too deep, carry huge volumes of water, and have wide, shallow, heavily-populated floodplains.
Some locations are in peril of flash flooding any time of year. This includes property close to narrow streams draining hills, such as in the Appalachians, Rockies, Ozarks, Cascades, and other mountainous and hilly regions. For instance, heavy rain can come any time of year in eastern Ohio, quickly filling small runs and creeks over their banks.
The West Coast, South-Southeast Alaska and the Aleutians may be more earthquake prone, but a few years ago a strong quake damaged buildings in Central Virginia, quakes (caused by gas drilling) have been shaking Oklahoma and southern Kansas, and quakes are sometimes felt in the Yellowstone area. Also, a rift beneath the Mississippi River generated the New Madrid Earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. They changed the course of the river, and one was felt as far away as Boston. Scientists wonder when the next one will happen. Except in these most prone areas, earthquake preparation is on the level of "just in case."
Except for solid rock, anytime buildings are built on the brink of a hill or beneath the face of a steep hill, there is some possibility of a landslide. This is more likely for certain types of soil. The danger increases when the soil is saturated after prolonged or repeated heavy rain, as was the case in Oso. Saturated soil increased the instability of the hillside.
. . . We Must Be Ready
Anywhere it happens, we must be ready. Preparation and readiness for non-seasonal natural disasters are on two levels - new buildings and existing structures. In either case, keep church records (or copies) in a safe location.
New Buildings
Building a new home for your church provides an excellent opportunity to have a place ready to meet severe weather and other natural hazards.
The first consideration in constructing a new church building is location. For protection from floods, select a site on higher ground, away from streams prone to flash flooding. Being close to a river or creek may provide a nice atmosphere and a lovely view, but it also makes flood damage a greater liability.
Site selection also includes ground stability for earthquake readiness. Soil analysis is actually required by many jurisdictions in quake-prone areas. It also figures in landslide avoidance.
In locations with a high wildfire hazard, site selection is also part of the equation. Proximity to trees and brush increases the danger. A 360° concrete parking lot reduces the church's vulnerability.
If the entire town is prone to flooding, have a more flood-resistant design. Elevate the sanctuary above the most likely flood levels. Have electrical outlets higher than the baseboards. Put the breaker box and cut-off switch on a high level, with a separate cut-off switch for circuits in the basement. Have flood-proof windows and outside doors in the basement.
Existing Structures
Choices are more limited with an existing structure, but some modifications can be made.
In flood-prone areas, first is the electrical system. Raise the outlets to 3 feet above the floor. Take carpet off the floor - it holds the water longer, increasing damage to the floor itself.
For a single-storey building with the floor at or near ground level, follow FEMA's 2011 guideline:
"If your property is in a flood hazard area, you can reduce the damage caused by flood waters and make cleanup easier by using flood damage resistant building materials. Building materials are considered flood resistant if they can withstand direct contact with flood waters for at least 72 hours without being significantly damaged. "Significant damage" means any damage that requires more than low cost, cosmetic repair (such as painting)." [10]
Fire-resistant siding can be put on the building's exterior. Drainage of the parking lot may be improved. In a quake area, buildings can be retroactively quake-proofed.
Response Ready
Plan your response to events that are the most likely to happen in your area. Practice responses such as:
- Evacuation when receiving a flood warning
- Cutting off power before flood waters invade
- Earthquake response (safe locations in the rooms and evacuating to a quake-safe place on the grounds)
- Calling members to warn of unsafe conditions
- Housing evacuees from natural disasters
Heeding Warnings
In "Whether the Weather" being able to receive alerts was stressed. But alerts count when they are heeded. We don't receive warning of earthquakes (we may be warned of tsunamis), but we can receive an alert for likely flooding. If this puts the church in danger, we can respond appropriately. If the church is in a safe location, we can prepare to help evacuees.
Resources
The Sheepdog Church Security downloadable training bundle "Severe Weather and Natural Disasters v3" https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/courses/severe-weather-and-natural-disasters-training-bundle
Get this month's resource, "Is Your Church Prepared for Severe Weather?" https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/courses/severe-weather-and-natural-disasters
Also, the first online Sheepdog Church Security training course - "Church Safety and Security Volunteer Academy" - is available here: https://sheepdog-church-security.thinkific.com/courses/church-safety-and-security-volunteer-academy